TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Parks |
Loreen Hamilton |
425-979-8280 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Parks |
Lindsey Falkenburg |
Parks Planning Manager |
TITLE:
title
Approval to Rebuild the Teen Center on the Same Location. Prioritize Expedience in Construction, Centering Teen Voices in the Design Process, and Including Music Performance Space and a Dedicated Recording Studio to Continue the Old Firehouse Teen Center Legacy
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The Old Fire House Facility Recommendation Stakeholder Group evaluated options and formed a majority and minority recommendation for City Council consideration. The final report summarized the rationale for the recommendation, highlighted key community priorities, and provided Council with insight into the benefits, challenges, and trade-offs of each option to support an informed decision. The City Council Teen Center Subcommittee then further refined the recommendation and shared it during the November 12th, 2025 City Council study session. City Council will now decide the future of the Old Fire House Facility, informed by the recommendation provided to them by the City of Redmond Parks and Recreation Staff on behalf of the Old Fire House Facility Recommendation Stakeholder Group, and provide direction to City Staff on next steps.
After an extensive community engagement process, study of financial and other implications of different options, and reviewing the stakeholder group recommendation and focus group results, the Council passes the following motion to provide formal direction on the Old Firehouse Teen Center facility:
Rebuild the teen center on the same location. Prioritize expedience in construction, centering teen voices in the design process, and including music performance space and a dedicated recording studio to continue the Old Firehouse Teen Center legacy.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☒ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
The Parks, Arts, Recreation, Culture, and Conservation Plan (PARCC)
Teen Services Engagement Report (2025)
Community Priorities for the Future of Redmond’s Community Centers (2017)
• Required:
N/A
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
City Staff will receive direction on next steps for the Old Fire House Teen Center and proceed accordingly.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
• Stakeholder Group Meeting 1: September 10, 2025
• Stakeholder Group Meeting 2: September 17, 2025
• Focus Group Meeting 1: September 22, 2025
• Focus Group Meeting 2: September 24, 2025
• Stakeholder Group Meeting 3: October 1, 2025
• Stakeholder Group Meeting 4: October 8, 2025
• Stakeholder Group Meeting 4: October 22, 2025
• Stakeholder Group Meeting 6: October 29, 2025
• Outreach Methods and Results:
The Stakeholder Group was formed through a collaborative process with input from City Staff and the City Council Teen Center Subcommittee and ultimately approved by City Leadership.
The Focus Groups were open to the public - information was shared with the public through targeted emails, social media, eNews, online updates, flyers, etc.
• Feedback Summary:
Takeaways from the community engagement process will be summarized in the final report.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$115,000
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
100.50100.00410.57121.9023-100-85
Budget Priority:
Vibrant and Connected
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☒ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
One-time general fund 2025-2026 budget
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
7/22/2025 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
|
9/23/2025 |
Committee of the Whole - Parks and Environmental Sustainability |
Receive Information |
|
10/28/2025 |
Committee of the Whole - Parks and Environmental Sustainability |
Receive Information |
|
11/12/2025 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
Current facility conditions - including the roof - will necessitate facility investments in the next 6 months. A proactive decision is necessary to invest where appropriate and should be made by the end of 2025 if possible.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
The facility will continue to deteriorate, and decisions will need to be made in a reactive manner.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A - Old Fire House Facility Recommendation Process
Attachment B - Stakeholder, Focus Group, and Community Engagement and Outreach
Attachment C - Old Fire House Facility Recommendation Final Recommendation and Report
Attachment D - Redmond OFH Engagement - Community Focus Groups Summary